Veterans Pension

Supplemental Income for Wartime Veterans

VA helps Veterans and their families cope with financial challenges by providing supplemental income through the Veterans Pension benefit. Veterans Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit payable to low-income wartime Veterans.

Eligibility

Generally, a Veteran must have at least 90 days of active duty service, with at least one day during a wartime period to qualify for a VA Pension. If you entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally you must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), with at least one day during a wartime period.

In addition to meeting minimum service requirements, the Veteran must be:

• Age 65 or older, OR
• Totally and permanently disabled, OR
• A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, OR
• Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, OR
• Receiving Supplemental Security Income

Your yearly family income must be less than the amount set by Congress to qualify for the Veterans Pension benefit. Learn more about income and net worth limitation, and see an example of how VA calculates the VA Pension benefit.

Additional Pension Allowances

Veterans or surviving spouses who are eligible for VA pension and are housebound or require the aid and attendance of another person may be eligible for an additional monetary payment.

How To Apply

To apply for Veterans Pension, fill out and submit the Form 21-526 Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension.

You can access this form by:

• Applying online using VONAPP Direct Connect on eBenefits
• Downloading it at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/
• Calling VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000 to have a claim form mailed to you
• Visiting your local VA regional office

To apply for increased pension based on A&A or Housebound payments, write to your local VA regional office and provide medical evidence, such as a doctor’s report, that validates the need for an increased benefit.